Members today gave the green light to introduce a trial pedestrianisation scheme in St Alban Street. This popular road in the centre of the town is currently open to both car traffic and pedestrians.
Trial over 6 months
The trial will take place over 6 months after consultation with businesses and the general public.
Supporting the town centre economy
Cllr Colin Huckle, briefholder for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “I’m delighted that members have agreed to take this scheme through to an experimental trial period. This is part of our efforts to continue to make further improvements to the pedestrian use of Weymouth town centre. We’ve already implemented a scheme to improve pedestrian
access to St Mary and St Thomas Streets. Improving pedestrianisation of the town centre is a key component of the Weymouth Town Centre master plan. We recognise this is an important way of supporting the town centre economy and the safety of shoppers.”
We have asked Dorset County Council to put in place an experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the street.
Part of wider pedestrianisation strategy
The council has already implemented a scheme to improve pedestrian access to St Mary and St Thomas Streets, working with Dorset County Council and requiring input from the Town Centre Manager. Improved pedestrianisation measures in the town centre are action 41 in the Management Committee Action Plan.
The £12,000 required for this project will be considered by the Budget Working Group, who will be meeting in the near future.
If successful, the full cost of implementing the scheme covering St Alban Street and related streets is estimated to be £80,000.
